Page 69 - Breath of the Bear

Know Before You Go

BEAR VIEWING LEVELS

Danny Sullivan

There are lots of different comfort levels
to viewing bears in the wilderness. There are
those who can pitch a tent in the middle of
bear country and sleep soundly and then
there are others who are fine with seeing
a bear in the distance while sitting safely
in their car. Walking, camping and hiking in
Alaska often requires a level of experience.
Trails can be slippery and difficult to navigate
and the weather, not to mention the wildlife,
can both be unpredictable. If you are with a
group that has multi-generations then the guide accompanies you at all times. Out guides stay with you while you sleep, eat
comfort/experience level of each member of Ketchikan and Juneau there are also and take walkabouts with the bears. These
should be taken into consideration. operators who will fly you into an area and areas are extremely remote with no services.
guide you to the best bear viewing spots. Emergency calls are made by satellite phone
Level 1 - The Sunday Morning Stroll and if foul weather rolls in, your flight out may
If you drive along the Alaska highway for Level 4 - One with the bears be delayed by several days.
any length of time, you are bound to see Imagine being dropped off in the middle of
wildlife. Bighorn sheep, elk, moose and nowhere to a campsite that includes a couple Level 5 - You are the bear
even bears have all been encountered. of tents surrounded by electrical wire with There are many reality TV shows that
If it’s safe to do so, pull to the side of the bears strolling just feet away from where you show extreme living in Alaska and unless you
road and take pictures. Other areas such as are sleeping. For many people this is a piece have experience living off of the grid, it is not
Hyder, offer visitors a chance to pull into a of heaven and several operators, such as recommended you take up residence in a tent
designated area and possibly see bears from Sasquatch Alaska Adventure Company, can in the middle of nowhere. Stay safe and stay
an overlook. Keep a lookout for signs along make this a reality. Their highly experienced with a guide.
the highway that give you an opportunity to
pull off and take in the beauty of Alaska and
maybe see some wildlife.

Level 2 - Cruising Along
There are many tour operators that operate
sight seeing from the safety of a boat. From
the Stikine River tours in Wrangell, Alaska
to the Misty Fjords tours out of Ketchikan,
visitors are offered a chance to see incredible
scenery as well as wildlife, safely and
comfortably from a boat. Many tours do not
involve any debarking onto land and could
be suitable for elderly visitors. This level is
for those who may like to see bears/wildlife
but are also interested in having an overview
of the natural beauty of the area.

Level 3 - Taking Flight
Hopping a plane and going to another city
or area of Alaska is a way of life for people
who live in this vast state. Dubbed “sky
taxis”, flightseeing operators are numerous
and offer visitors a bird’s eye view of Alaska
as well as the experience of landing on the
water and disembarking for a bear viewing
adventure. Anan Bear Observatory includes
a hike through the rainforest to a bear
viewing platform and Brooks Falls in Katmai
National Park and Preserve has many day
visitors.
Out of Homer, there are flight seeing
adventures to Katmai and Lake Clark which
are unique for their remoteness and lack of
tourist congestion. Tour groups are small
and intimate in these areas and guests
spend several hours walking around trails,
in mud and grasslands, or whereever
the bears happen to be. An experienced
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